2015 candidate qualifying guide...candidate qualifying guide revised jan-15 page 3 a message from...

2015Candidate

Qualifying Guide

Delbert HosemannS e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e

Candidate Qualifying Guide

Revised Jan-15

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Revised Jan-15

A MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE

Dear Fellow Mississippians:

Our office is pleased to provide you with the 2015 Mississippi Elections Candidate

Qualifying Guide, which outlines candidate qualifications and procedures.

This publication offers a wealth of information for both potential candidates of political

offices in the State, as well as Mississippians interested in the process. We encourage you to

take advantage of the resources offered by our agency, and I hope you find this guide useful.

If we can assist you with additional information regarding the Mississippi Elections

Candidate Qualifying Guide, please do not hesitate to call the Elections Division of the Office

of the Mississippi Secretary of State at 601-576-2550 or 800-829-6786, or you may email us at

[email protected].

Sincerely,

Delbert Hosemann

Secretary of State

mailto:[email protected]


Revised Jan-15

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2015 ELECTIONS CALENDAR..................................................................................................... 5

2015 ELECTIONS QUALIFYING DATES ................................................................................... 6

PURPOSE .......................................................................................................................................... 7

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE ................................................................................................ 8

STATEWIDE CANDIDATES ................................................................................................................ 8 STATE DISTRICT CANDIDATES ......................................................................................................... 9 LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES .............................................................................................................. 9 COUNTYWIDE CANDIDATES ............................................................................................................. 9 COUNTY DISTRICT CANDIDATES .................................................................................................... 11 SCHOOL DISTRICT, BOARD OF TRUSTEES....................................................................................... 11

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................ 13

PARTY CANDIDATES ...................................................................................................................... 13 INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES ........................................................................................................... 13

STATEMENT OF ECONOMIC INTEREST .............................................................................. 14

CAMPAIGN FINANCE DISCLOSURE REPORTS .................................................................. 14

WHAT, WHEN AND WHERE TO FILE .................................................................................... 15

FOR STATEWIDE, STATE DISTRICT AND LEGISLATIVE OFFICE ....................................................... 15 Qualifying as a Candidate for Party Nomination ..................................................................... 15 Qualifying as an Independent Candidate ................................................................................. 15

FOR COUNTYWIDE AND COUNTY DISTRICT OFFICES ..................................................................... 16 Qualifying as a Candidate for Party Nomination ..................................................................... 16 Qualifying as an Independent Candidate ................................................................................. 17

FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEE (CONSOLIDATED/CONSOLIDATED LINE, MUNICIPAL SEPARATE

AND SPECIAL MUNICIPAL SEPARATE) ............................................................................................ 17 Qualifying as a Non-Partisan Candidate ................................................................................. 17

POLITICAL PARTY CONTACT INFORMATION ................................................................. 19

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ...................................................... 20

WHAT TO REPORT .......................................................................................................................... 20 WHERE TO REPORT ........................................................................................................................ 21 WHEN TO REPORT .......................................................................................................................... 21 2015 CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTING SCHEDULE ........................................................................ 22


Revised Jan-15

2015 Elections Calendar

Party Primary Election .................................................... Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Party Primary Runoff Election .................................... Tuesday, August 25, 2015

General/Special Election ........................................... Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Special Runoff Election .......................................... Tuesday, November 24, 2015


Revised Jan-15

2015 Elections Qualifying Dates

Party Primary and Independent Candidates:

Qualifying Period Begins …………………………………………… Friday, January 2, 2015

Qualifying Deadline ………………………………….. 5:00 p.m., Friday, February 27, 2015

Consolidated/Consolidated Line School District Trustee:

Qualifying Period Begins ............................................................. Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Qualifying Deadline ........................................................ 5:00 p.m., Friday, September 4, 2015

Special Municipal Separate School District Trustee1:

Qualifying Period Begins ............................................................. Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Qualifying Deadline ....................................................... 5:00 p.m., Friday, September 4, 2015

Municipal Separate School District Trustee:

Qualifying Period Begins .............................................................. Wednesday, August 5, 2015


County and County District Special Election Candidates:


1 Warren County/Vicksburg Special Municipal Separate School District Trustee: Qualifying Deadline, 5:00 p.m.,

Friday, September 4, 2015.


Revised Jan-15

Purpose

This qualifying guide provides essential information for candidates seeking Mississippi

statewide, state district, legislative, countywide and/or county district offices, as well as certain

school board school district elections in 2015. This guide begins with an overview of the

qualifying process for party, independent, and non-partisan candidates seeking public office.

Candidates should familiarize themselves with the legal qualifications and the qualifying

procedures for the office they intend to seek. This guide only provides information about

elected offices for which an election will be held during 2015.

All candidates must file campaign finance reports. While this guide provides a brief

explanation of the applicable campaign finance reporting requirements, please refer to the

Campaign Finance Guide for more complete instructions. Keep in mind, a winning candidate

who fails to file any required campaign finance report may not take office. A failure to file

required campaign finance reports also could result in the imposition of criminal and civil

penalties.


Revised Jan-15

Qualifications for Office

ALL CANDIDATES MUST:

• Be a qualified elector of the State of Mississippi and of the district, county or county district of the

office for which he seeks election.

• Never have been convicted of bribery, perjury or other infamous crime, being a crime punishable by a

minimum of one (1) year confinement in the state penitentiary, i.e., all felonies, unless pardoned for the offense.

Miss. Const. of 1890, Article IV, § 44.

• Never have been convicted of a felony in a court of this state, or, on or after December 8, 1992, of a

felony in a federal court, or of an offense in the court of another state which is a felony under the laws of this

state, as provided in Section 44 of the Mississippi Constitution; excluding, however, convictions of

manslaughter and violations of the United States Internal Revenue Code or any violations of the tax laws of this

state, unless the offense also involved the misuse or abuse of an office or money coming into a candidate’s

hands by virtue of an office.

Statewide Candidates:

GOVERNOR The candidate for Governor shall be a qualified elector, at least thirty (30) years of age, a citizen of the United

States for twenty (20) years, and a resident of the State five (5) years next preceding the day of election. Miss.

Const. of 1890, Article V, § 117.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR A candidate for Lieutenant Governor shall be a qualified elector and possess the same qualifications as required

for the Governor, i.e., at least thirty (30) years of age, a citizen of the United States for twenty (20) years and

resident of the State five (5) years next preceding the day of election. Miss. Const. of 1890, Article V, § 128.

SECRETARY OF STATE The candidate for Secretary of State shall be a qualified elector, at least twenty-five (25) years of age and a

citizen of the State five (5) years next preceding the day of election. Miss. Const. of 1890, Article V, § 133.

STATE TREASURER; AUDITOR OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS A candidate for State Treasurer or Auditor of Public Accounts shall be a qualified elector and possess the same

qualifications as required for the Secretary of State, i.e., at least twenty-five (25) years of age, citizen of the

State five (5) years next preceding the day of election. Miss. Const. of 1890, Article V, §§ 133 and 134.

COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE A candidate for Commissioner of Insurance shall be a qualified elector and possess the same qualifications as

required for the Secretary of State, i.e., at least twenty-five (25) years of age and a citizen of the State five (5)

years next preceding the day of election. Miss. Code Ann. § 83-1-3; Miss. Const. of 1890, Article V, § 133.

ATTORNEY GENERAL A candidate for Attorney General shall be a qualified elector and possess the same qualifications prescribed for

judges of the circuit and chancery courts, i.e., a practicing lawyer for five (5) years, at least twenty-six (26)

years of age and a citizen of the State for five (5) years. Miss. Const. of 1890, Article VI, §§ 154 and 173.


Revised Jan-15

COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE A candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce shall be a qualified elector, have competent

knowledge of agriculture, mining, manufacturing, statistics and general industries and must be an experienced

and practical agriculturist. Miss. Code Ann. § 69-1-1.

State District Candidates:

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER A candidate for Public Service Commissioner shall be a qualified elector of the Supreme Court district from

which he seeks election and shall possess the qualifications prescribed for the Secretary of State, i.e., at least

twenty-five (25) years of age, citizen of the State five (5) years next preceding the day of election. A

commissioner shall not operate, own any stock in, or be in the employment of any common or contract carrier

by motor vehicle, telephone company, gas or electric utility company, or any other public utility that shall come

under his jurisdiction or supervision. Miss. Code Ann. § 77-1-1.

TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER A candidate for Transportation Commissioner shall be a qualified elector of the Supreme Court district from

which he seeks election. Miss. Code Ann. § 65-1-3.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY A candidate for District Attorney shall be a qualified elector of the district from which he seeks election and

shall possess all the qualifications of county officers, and, in addition thereto, shall be a regular licensed and

practicing attorney, admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Mississippi for two (2) years. Miss.

Const. of 1890, Article V, § 135, Article VI, § 174; Miss. Code Ann. § 25-31-1.

Legislative Candidates:

STATE SENATOR A candidate for Senator shall be a qualified elector of the state four (4) years, an actual resident of the district or

territory he may be chosen to represent for two (2) years before the election and shall have attained the age of

twenty-five (25) years of age. Miss. Const. of 1890, Article IV, §42.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE A candidate for House of Representatives shall be a qualified elector and resident citizen of the state four (4)

years, a resident of the district he seeks to represent for two (2) years before the election, and shall have attained

the age of twenty-one (21) years of age. Miss. Const. of 1890, Article IV, §41.

Countywide Candidates:

SHERIFF A candidate for Sheriff shall be a qualified elector of the county in which he seeks election and shall not

be a defaulter to the state or any county or municipality thereof, or to the United States. Miss. Const. of 1890,

Article V, §§135, 138; Miss. Code Ann. §19-25-3.

Each sheriff-elect shall, at the expense of the county, attend and complete an appropriate curriculum in

the field of law enforcement at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers’ Academy within one (1) year after

taking the oath of office; excluding, however, those who have previously served as a sheriff or have had at least

five (5) years’ full-time law enforcement experience within a period of ten (10) years prior to the date of taking

the oath of office, or have previously successfully completed a course of training at the Mississippi Law


Revised Jan-15

Enforcement Officers’ Academy or the Jackson Policy Academy within five (5) years prior to the date of taking

the oath of office.

CHANCERY CLERK A candidate for Chancery Clerk shall be a qualified elector of the county in which he seeks election.

Miss. Const. of 1890, Article V §135; Article VI, § 168; Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-132.

Each chancery clerk elected for a full term of office shall file in the office of the circuit clerk a

certificate of completion of a course of training and education conducted by the Mississippi Judicial College of

the University of Mississippi Law Center within six (6) months of the beginning of the term for which the clerk

is elected. A chancery clerk who has completed the course of training and education and has satisfied his

annual continuing education course requirements, and who is elected for a succeeding term shall not be required

to repeat the training and education course upon reelection. Any chancery clerk who served a full or partial

term before Jan. 1, 1996 shall be exempt from this requirement.

CIRCUIT CLERK A candidate for Circuit Clerk shall be a qualified elector of the county in which he seeks election. Miss.

Const. of 1890, Article V §135; Article VI, § 168; Miss. Code Ann. §§ 9-7-122, 23-15-211.

Each circuit clerk elected for a full term of office shall file in the office of the chancery clerk a

certificate of completion of a course of training and education conducted by the Mississippi Judicial College of

the University of Mississippi Law Center within six (6) months of the beginning of the term for which the clerk

is elected. A circuit clerk who has completed the course of training and education and has satisfied his annual

continuing education course requirements, and who is elected for a succeeding term shall not be required to

repeat the training and education course upon reelection. Any circuit clerk who served a full or partial term

before Jan. 1, 1996 shall be exempt from this requirement.

Each newly elected circuit clerk shall complete a computer skills training course within one hundred

eighty (180) days of the commencement of their term; all serving circuit clerks shall complete a refresher course

within one hundred eighty (180) days of the commencement of every odd-numbered term of service.

TAX ASSESSOR/COLLECTOR A candidate for Tax Assessor or Tax Collector shall be a qualified elector of the county in which he

seeks election. Miss. Const. of 1890, Article V §§135, 138; Article VI, § 168; Miss. Code Ann. § 27-1-51.

Each tax assessor and tax collector shall attain certification through the Education and Certification

Board, in cooperation with the Center for Governmental Training and Technology within the Mississippi State

University Extension Service.

COUNTY ATTORNEY A candidate for County Attorney shall be a qualified elector of the county in which he seeks election,

possess all the qualifications of other county officers, and, in addition thereto, shall be a regular licensed and

practicing lawyer. Miss. Code Ann. §19-23-9.

SURVEYOR A candidate for Surveyor shall be a qualified elector of the county in which he seeks election and a

registered land surveyor as provided for in Miss. Code Ann. §§ 73-13-71 through 73-13-99. Miss. Code Ann.

§19-27-1; Miss. Const. of 1890, Article V §§135, 138.

CORONER A candidate for Coroner shall, at a minimum, possess a high school graduation diploma or its

equivalent, be twenty-one (21) years of age or older and be a qualified elector of the county in which he seeks

election.


Revised Jan-15

The minimum education requirement shall not apply to any Coroner holding office on July 1, 1986,

who is re-elected in the 1987 general election and thereafter, as long as he maintains continuous active service

as a county medical examiner or county medical examiner investigator. Miss. Code Ann. §19-21-103; Miss.

Const. of 1890, Article V, §§135, 138.

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION A qualified elector, the holder of a valid administrator’s license issued by the State Department of

Education, and not less than four years of classroom or administrative experience. Miss. Code Ann. §37-9-13;

Miss. Const. of 1890, Article VIII, §§202, 204; see also, Miss. Code Ann. § 37-5-71.

County District Candidates:

SUPERVISOR A candidate for Supervisor shall be a qualified elector of the county and a resident in the district in

which he/she seeks election. Miss. Const. of 1890, Article VI, § 176; Miss. Code Ann. §19-3-3; Williams v.

Adams County Board of Election Commissioners, 608 F Supp. 599 (1985)(freeholder requirement as set forth by

Miss. Code Ann. § 19-3-3 ruled unconstitutional).

JUSTICE COURT JUDGE A candidate for Justice Court Judge shall be a qualified elector and resident of the county for two (2)

years next preceding his selection and shall have a high school graduate or a general equivalency diploma unless

he shall have served as a justice of the peace or been elected to the office of justice of the peace prior to January

1, 1976. Miss. Code Ann. §9-11-3; Miss. Const. of 1890, Article VI, §171.

Each justice court judge shall be required to file in the office of the chancery clerk a certificate of

completion of a course of training and education conducted by the Mississippi Judicial College of the University

of Mississippi Law Center within six months of the beginning of the term of office. In addition, each justice

court judge shall be required to file annually in the office of the chancery clerk a certificate of completion of a

course of continuing education conducted by the Mississippi Judicial College. See also, Miss. Code Ann. § 9-

11-4.

CONSTABLE A qualified elector in the county and district in which he seeks election. Miss. Code Ann. §19-19-5;

Miss. Const. of 1890, Article VI, § 171.

During a constable’s term of office, each constable shall attend and, to the extent to which he is

physically able, participate in a curriculum having a duration of two (2) weeks which addresses the nature and

scope of specific duties and responsibilities of a constable and which includes firearm use and safety training,

established by the Board on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training in the field of law enforcement

at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers’ Training Academy or such other training programs that are

approved by the Board on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training. In addition, each constable shall

complete eight (8) hours annually continuing education training.

School District, Board of Trustees:

CONSOLIDATED/CONSOLIDATED LINE SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEE A candidate for Consolidated/Consolidated Line School District Trustee shall be a bona fide resident

and qualified elector of the district in which election is sought, and shall have a high school diploma or its

equivalent. Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-306.

Each school board member shall be required to complete a basic course of training and education for

local school board members conducted by the Mississippi School Boards Association within six (6) months of


Revised Jan-15

his selection. In addition, each school board member shall be required to file annually in the office of the school

board a certificate of completion of a course of continuing education conducted by the Mississippi School

Boards Association. See also, Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-4.

MUNICIPAL SEPARATE SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEE A candidate for Municipal Separate School District Trustee shall be a bona fide resident and qualified

elector of such school district, and shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Miss. Code Ann. §§ 37-7-

201, 37-7-203, 37-7-306.






SPECIAL MUNICIPAL SEPARATE SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEE A candidate for Special Municipal Separate School District Trustee shall be a bona fide resident and

qualified elector of such school district, and shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Miss. Code Ann.

§§ 37-7-201, 37-7-707, 37-7-306.







Revised Jan-15

Candidate Requirements

An individual considering a run for office must choose to either participate in a primary

election as a candidate seeking a particular political party’s nomination or qualify as an

independent candidate, who, for the purposes of the ballot, has no designated political party

affiliation and only participates in the November General Election.

Party Candidates

An individual who chooses to participate in a primary election to seek the nomination of a

particular political party must submit, to the proper office, a qualifying statement of intent for a

candidate for party nomination, together with the applicable qualifying fee, on or before the

qualifying deadline, as is more thoroughly explained hereafter. Qualifying forms for party

candidates are available from your Circuit Clerk’s Office, the respective political party’s state

headquarters, the Secretary of State’s Office or on-line at http://www.sos.ms.gov/Elections-

Voting/Pages/Candidate-Qualifying-Forms.aspx.

Independent Candidates

An individual who chooses to seek election for an office as an independent candidate does not

pay a qualifying fee but must submit, to the proper office, a qualifying statement of intent for an

independent candidate, together with a qualifying petition, which must be signed by a certain number

of qualified electors (registered voters) from the state, county or district from which the candidate

seeks election, as is more thoroughly explained hereafter. The number of signatures required on the

qualifying petition is dependent upon the specific office sought by the candidate. Each candidate

must obtain the certification of the signatures from the Circuit Clerk’s Office of the county from

where the signatures were collected prior to submitting his qualifying papers to the appropriate office.

Independent candidates should budget sufficient time to ensure the certification of the signatures prior

to the date the qualifying papers are to be submitted to the appropriate office by the qualifying

http://www.sos.ms.gov/Elections-Voting/Pages/Candidate-Qualifying-Forms.aspx



Revised Jan-15

deadline. Receiving offices will not accept qualifying papers unless the required number of signatures

has been certified by the Circuit Clerk’s Office of the respective counties from which the signatures

were collected. Qualifying forms for independent candidates are available from your Circuit Clerk’s

Office, the Secretary of State’s Office or on-line at http://www.sos.ms.gov/Elections-

Voting/Pages/Candidate-Qualifying-Forms.aspx.

Statement of Economic Interest

All candidates seeking office in the 2015 Primary and/or General Elections are required to file

a Statement of Economic Interest with the Mississippi Ethics Commission within fifteen (15) days of

qualifying. Additional information and forms may be obtained directly from the Mississippi Ethics

Commission or on-line.

Mississippi Ethics Commission

Burroughs Building

146 East Amite Street, Room 103

Jackson, Mississippi 39201

http://www.ethics.state.ms.us

Campaign Finance Disclosure Reports

All candidates seeking office in the 2015 Primary and/or General Elections are

required to file campaign finance disclosure reports as required by Mississippi law. These

reporting requirements are set forth briefly herein and in greater detail in a separate

publication of the Secretary of State’s Office, Campaign Finance Disclosure in Mississippi

and by statute, Miss. Code Ann. §§ 23-15-801, et seq. Forms are available from your

Circuit Clerk’s Office, the Secretary of State’s Office or on-line at

http://www.sos.ms.gov/Elections-Voting/Pages/Campaign-Finance-Forms.aspx.



http://www.ethics.state.ms.us/

http://www.sos.ms.gov/Elections-Voting/Pages/Campaign-Finance-Forms.aspx


Revised Jan-15

What, When and Where to File:

For Statewide, State District and Legislative Office

Qualifying as a Candidate for Party Nomination:

1) Qualifying Statement of Intent for a Candidate for Party Nomination, and

2) Qualifying fee made payable to the appropriate State Party Executive Committee.

The qualifying fee(s) for candidates seeking party nominations for office are as

follows:

a. Governor: $300.00,

b. Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer,

Auditor of Public Accounts, Commissioner of Insurance, Commissioner of

Agriculture and Commerce, Transportation Commissioner and Public

Service Commissioner: $200.00,

c. District Attorney: $100.00, and

d. State Senator and State Representative: $15.00. Miss. Code Ann. § 23-15-

297.

3) Filed with the appropriate State Party Executive Committee,

4) No later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2015. NOTE: The qualifying date

is an actual receipt deadline and cannot be extended under any circumstance.

5) Statement of Economic Interest, within fifteen (15) days of qualifying, with the

Mississippi Ethics Commission, 146 E. Amite Street, Rm. 103, Burroughs Bldg.,

Jackson, MS 39201; (601) 359-1285.

6) Required Campaign Finance Disclosure Reports filed with the Secretary of State’s

Office by 5:00 p.m. on the applicable deadline(s).

* * * * * *

Qualifying as an Independent Candidate:

1) Qualifying Statement of Intent for a Candidate for an Independent Candidate, and

2) Qualifying Petition, signed by not less than the following number of qualified

electors (registered voters), certified by the Circuit Clerk of the respective county

from where the signatures were collected by the candidate:

a. Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Auditor

of Public Accounts, Attorney General, Commissioner of Insurance and

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, not less than one thousand

(1,000) qualified electors,


Revised Jan-15

b. Public Service Commissioner and Transportation Commissioner, not less

than three hundred (300) qualified electors,

c. District Attorney, not less than one hundred (100) qualified electors,

d. State Senator and State Representative, not less than fifty (50) qualified

electors. Miss. Code Ann. § 23-15-359.

3) Filed with the Secretary of State’s office,





Jackson, MS 39201; (601) 359-1285.

6) Required Campaign Finance Disclosure Reports filed with the Secretary of State’s

Office by 5:00 p.m. on the applicable deadline(s).

For Countywide and County District Offices

Qualifying as a Candidate for Party Nomination:

1) Qualifying Statement of Intent for a Candidate for Party Nomination, and

2) Qualifying fee made payable to the appropriate County Party Executive Committee.

The qualifying fee(s) for candidates seeking party nominations for countywide and

county district offices are as follows:

a. Sheriff, Chancery Clerk, Circuit Clerk, Tax Assessor, Tax Collector, County

Attorney, Superintendent of Education and Supervisor: $15.00, and

b. Surveyor, Coroner, Justice Court Judge and Constable: $10.00. Miss. Code

Ann. § 23-15-297.

3) Filed with the Circuit Clerk’s Office in the candidate’s county of residence,





Jackson, MS 39201; (601) 359-1285.

6) Required Campaign Finance Disclosure Reports filed with the appropriate Circuit

Clerk’s Office by 5:00 p.m. on the applicable deadline(s).

* * * * * *


Revised Jan-15

Qualifying as an Independent Candidate:

1) Qualifying Statement of Intent for a Candidate for an Independent Candidate, and

2) Qualifying Petition, signed by not less than the following number of qualified

electors (registered voters), certified by the Circuit Clerk of the respective county

from where the signatures were collected by the candidate:

a. Sheriff, Chancery Clerk, Circuit Clerk, Tax Assessor, Tax Collector, County

Attorney, Surveyor, Coroner, and Superintendent of Education, not less than

fifty (50) qualified electors,

b. Supervisor, Justice Court Judge and Constable, not less than fifteen (15)

qualified electors. Miss. Code Ann. § 23-15-359.

3) Filed with the Circuit Clerk’s office in the candidate’s county of residence,





Jackson, MS 39201; (601) 359-1285.

6) Required Campaign Finance Disclosure Reports filed with the Secretary of State’s Office by

5:00 p.m. on the applicable deadline(s).

For School District Trustee (Consolidated/Consolidated Line, Municipal Separate

and Special Municipal Separate)

Qualifying as a Non-Partisan Candidate:

1) Qualifying Statement of Intent2, and

2) Petition signed by not less than fifty (50) qualified electors of the area represented by the

office3, certified by the Circuit Clerk of the county from which the signatures were collected

2 For a Municipal Separate School District Trustee candidate only, the Qualifying Statement of Intent must be

accompanied by an Affidavit of the Candidate. All qualifying forms are available from your Circuit Clerk’s Office, the

Secretary of State’s Office and on-line at http://www.sos.ms.gov/Elections-Voting/Pages/Candidate-Qualifying-

Forms.aspx.

3 Where there are less than one hundred (100) qualified electors in the area to be represented by the trustee, the petition of

nomination shall be signed by at least twenty percent (20.0%) of the qualified electors in the area.




Revised Jan-15

3) Filed with the County Election Commission/Circuit Clerk’s Office,

4) No more than ninety (90) days nor later than 5:00 p.m. sixty (60) days before the election, i.e.,

no earlier than Wednesday, August 5, 2015 and no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday,

September 4, 20154.

5) Statement of Economic Interest, within fifteen (15) days of qualifying, with the Mississippi

Ethics Commission, 146 E. Amite Street, Rm. 103, Burroughs Bldg., Jackson, MS 39201;(601)

359-1285.

6) Required Campaign Finance Disclosure Reports filed with the appropriate Circuit Clerk’s

office by 5:00 p.m. on the applicable deadline(s).

4 A candidate for Trustee for the Vicksburg/Warren County Special Municipal School District may file his qualifying

papers prior to Wednesday, August 5, 2015; however, the qualifying deadline remains the same, i.e., 5:00 p.m., Friday,

September 4, 2015.


Revised Jan-15

Political Party Contact Information

Party Address Phone Email/Website

Democratic Party of

Mississippi

Post Office Box 1583

Jackson, MS 39215

(601) 969-2913

(601) 354-1599,

fax

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.msdemocrats.net

Mississippi Republican

Party

Post Office Box 60

Jackson, MS 39205-0060

(601) 948-5191

(601) 354-0972,

fax

Email: [email protected] Website: www.msgop.org

Libertarian Party of

Mississippi

1625 E. County Line Rd,

Suite 200-145

Jackson, MS 39211-1832

Website: www.lp.org/states/mississippi

http://mslp.org/

Reform Party of

Mississippi

142 Old Hwy 98 West

Tylertown, MS 39667

Website: www.rpusa.info/mississippi;

http://reformpartyms.net/

Email: [email protected];

[email protected]

Natural Law Party of

Mississippi

9301 Dogwood Avenue

Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Website: www.natural-law.org

The Constitution Party 742 East Service Drive

Coldwater, MS 38618

151 Road 331

Guntown, MS 38849

(662) 622-7639

(662) 760-8695

Website: www.constitutionparty.org;

http://msconstitutionparty.wordpress.co

m/

Green Party of

Mississippi

707D McLarty Road

Oxford, MS 38655

8 Gumtree Drive

Oxford Mississippi 38655

(601)352-3398 Website: www.greenpartyms.org

Email: [email protected]

America First Party

405 River Road

Greenwood, MS 38930

(662) 453-8412 Website:www.americafirstparty.orgMis

sissippi.americafirstparty.org

Justice Party 850 N Jefferson Street A4

Jackson, MS 39202

(601) 960-0667 http://mississippi.justicepartyusa.net




http://www.msdemocrats.net/


http://www.msgop.org/

http://www.lp.org/states/mississippi

http://www.lp.org/states/mississippi

http://www.rpusa.info/mississippi

http://reformpartyms.net/


http://www.natural-law.org/

http://www.constitutionparty.org/


Revised Jan-15

Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements

Mississippi law requires all candidates for elective office to file campaign finance disclosure

reports. Under the law, one is a candidate if he/she has filed qualifying papers or has spent or

received over $200 in the aggregate in furtherance of an election campaign. Following the

qualifying deadline, all persons who have filed qualifying papers are candidates under the law, even

if they have not received or spent $200 in the aggregate. Reports must be filed by all candidates

even if they have not received contributions or made any expenditures.

What to Report:

All reports filed under state law must include aggregate year-to-date and reporting period

totals of contributions received and expenditures and disbursements made from all sources.

Total cash on hand must be reported. Miss. Code Ann. §23-15-807 (d)(i). Each report must also

include each of the following categories:

Itemized Contributions Each report must contain an itemized listing of each contributor, including name, address,

occupation, employer, date of each contribution, and amount of each contribution giving year-to-

date totals aggregating to more than $200. Miss. Code Ann. §23-15-807 (d)(ii). The grand totals of

itemized contributions plus non-itemized contributions must be disclosed. Miss. Code Ann.

§23-15-807 (d)(iii)(1972).

Itemized Disbursements Each report must contain an itemized listing of each person, business, or entity including

name, address, occupation, employer, date of each expenditure or disbursement, and each

amount receiving year-to-date totals aggregating to more than $200. Miss. Code Ann. §23-15-807

(d)(ii). The grand totals of itemized expenditures plus non-itemized expenditures must be

disclosed. Miss. Code Ann. §23-15-807 (d)(iii).

Non-Itemized Contributions and Disbursements Contributions and disbursements aggregating to $200 or less in a calendar year do not have

to be itemized. However, these amounts are included in grand totals of all contributions and

grand totals of all disbursements as indicated on the cover sheet of each report.

Reporting Threshold All candidates and political committees must fully itemize (identify) the source of

contributions and itemize expenditures when they aggregate to $200.01 or more in a calendar year.

Miss. Code Ann. §23-15-807.

Campaign finance forms are available from your Circuit Clerk’s Office, the Secretary of State ’s

www.sos.ms.gov or by calling the Secretary of State’s office at (601) 576-2550 or 1-800-829-6786.

Please refer to the Secretary of State’s Campaign Finance Guide, for detailed information on

campaign finance procedures and a complete copy of the campaign finance disclosure law(s).


Revised Jan-15

Where to Report:

Candidates for Statewide and State District office file with the Secretary of State’s office.

Candidates for Legislative office file with the Secretary of State’s office.

Candidates for Countywide office file with the respective Circuit Clerk’s office of the County.

Candidates for County District office file with the respective Circuit Clerk’s office of the

County.

When to Report:

Reports are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on applicable deadline(s) in the proper office. If the

deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the report is due at 5:00 p.m. on the first working day prior

to the weekend or holiday. T h e ap p r o p r i a t e o f f i c e m u s t b e i n a c t u a l r e ce i p t o f t h e

r eq u i r ed r eport no later than 5:00 p.m. on the deadline d a t e . Miss. Code Ann. §23-15-807 (e).


Revised Jan-15

2015 Campaign Finance Reporting Schedule

Friday, January 30, 2015 .....................................................................................Annual Report (January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014) All candidates and all Political Committees

that received funds or made expenditures in Mississippi during the year 2014, excludes Judicial Candidates

Friday, May 8, 2015 ..............................................................................................Periodic Report

(January 1, 2015, through April 30, 2015)

Wednesday, June 10, 2015....................................................................................Periodic Report (May 1, 2015, through May 31, 2015)

Friday, July 10, 2015 .............................................................................................Periodic Report

(June 1, 2015, through June 30, 2015)

Tuesday, July 28, 2015 ..........................................................................................Pre-Election Report (July 1, 2015 through July 25, 2015) All Primary Candidates and

Political Committees

Tuesday, August 18, 2015 .....................................................................................Pre-Runoff Report (July 26, 2015 through August 15, 2015) All Primary Runoff

Candidates and Political

Committees

Friday, October 9, 2015 ........................................................................................Periodic Report

(July 1, 2015, through September 30, 2015)

Tuesday, October 27, 2015 ...................................................................................Pre-Election Report (October 1, 2015 through October 24, 2015) All General and Special

Election Candidates and Political Committees

Tuesday, November 17, 2015 ...............................................................................Pre-Runoff Report (October 25, 2015, through November 14, 2015) For Candidates and

Political Committees in the General Runoff Election

Only

Friday, January 8, 2016 .........................................................................................Periodic Report (October 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015)

Friday, January 29, 2016 .....................................................................................Annual Report (January 1, 2015, through December, 31, 2015) All candidates and all Political Committees

that received funds or made expenditures in Mississippi during the year 2015 that were not in the 2015 election

NOTE: If a candidate or candidate’s committee receives a contribution of more than $200 after the

tenth day, but more than 48 hours before 12:01 a.m. on the day of the election, the candidate or

candidate’s committee must fully disclose the contribution by filing a 48 Hour Report with the

appropriate office within 48 hours of the contribution. Miss. Code Ann. §23-15-807(f)(i).

Termination Report - Required by all candidates and all political committees in order to end

reporting obligations. To be eligible for termination, the candidate or committee must no longer be

soliciting contributions, no longer making campaign disbursements, nor have any outstanding debts or

financial obligations.


Revised Jan-15

Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office

Post Office Box 136

Jackson, Mississippi 39205

Elections Call Center (601) 576-2250

Elections Hotline 1-800-829-6786

Elections Fax (601) 576-2545

Elections Fax (Alternate) (601) 359-5019

Mississippi Ethics Commission (601) 359-1285

Mississippi Attorney General’s Office (601) 359-3680

For further information about Mississippi’s elections, please visit our website

located at www.sos.ms.gov. Additional publications from the Elections Division may

be downloaded from the website.

NOTE: This qualifying guide is provided for your convenience, as an aid for

candidates who wish to qualify for elected state, state district, county and county-district

offices in 2015. Candidates should be aware that changes in state law enacted, or court

decision made, after the printing of this guide may change deadlines or other substantive

provisions of election law. Accordingly, candidates should review all current election and

campaign finance laws relevant to the office.

This guide is not intended to address qualifying for special elections. Candidates

interested in qualifying for special elections should contact their Circuit Clerk or the

Secretary of State’s office for additional information.

This guide supersedes all previous editions of the Candidate Qualifying Guide issued

by the Secretary of State’s office.

http://www.sos.ms.gov/

2015 candidate qualifying guide...candidate qualifying guide revised jan-15 page 3 a message from...

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